Thought for March 19, 2024

•  1911: First International Women's Day
• 1918: Congress approves time zones and daylight savings time
• 1928: Amos and Andy premiers on radio
• 1931: Nevada legalizes gambling
• 1949: First museum totally dedicated to atomic energy--Oak Ridge
• 1966: Texas Western beats Kentucky to win NCAA tournament
• 1987: Jim Bakker resigns after accusations by Jessica Hahn
• 2020: California locks down due to Covid
• Born: William Bradford [Plymouth Colony], David Livingstone, Wyatt Earp, William Jennings Bryan, Earl Warren, John Sirica [Watergate Judge], Adolph Eichmann [Holocaust], Jay Berwanger [1st Heisman], Gay Brewer, Philip Roth ["Goodbye Columbus"], Ursula Andress, Sirhan Sirhan, Glenn Close, Bruce Willis, Andy Reid
• Died: Edgar Rice Burroughs [Tarzan], Anne Klein, John D Lorean, Arthur C Clarke, Paul Schofield, Jimmy Breslin, Thomas Ken

Thomas Ken is called England's first hymnist. He wrote three hymns for the boys at Westminster College--morning, evening and midnight [if they were having trouble sleeping]. All three hymns ended with "Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above ye heavenly hosts; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost." 

Thought:

Continuing to look at Passion Week today and reading Luke 20:9-18. This is a familiar story, often preached. The owner planted a vineyard and went away on a journey. At harvest, the owner sends a slave to collect some of the fruit. The vine-growers beat the slave and send him away. A second slave receives the same treatment and a third slave is beaten, injured and cast out. The owner then sends his beloved son--but the vine-growers think they can gain the inheritance by killing the son. And that's what they do. The haunting verse is 20:15, "What will the owner of the vineyard do?" Think about that with me. What will the owner do? This should challenge me to live worthy of His calling, but even more should energize my efforts to share the gospel. All around me are people who will face the owner. Do I care what the owner will do? That is a thought that should help me invite the lost to all those Easter events.

Then look at the next event in Passion Week in Luke 20:19-26. Another familiar story. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar? This story always amazes me because of what the scribes and chief priests say to Jesus before asking the "trick" question. Look at what they say:

• We know You teach and speak correctly.
• You are not partial to any.
• You teach the way of God in truth. 

This strikes me this morning because these are things I would say about Jesus. They said them with deceit in mind, but these are truths that I believe to be true. So the Lord is asking me, Larry, if that is what you believe, how is it reflected in what you say and do? How does your attitude picture these truths? Maybe this is what James had in mind when he said show me your faith for faith without works is dead. These learned men uttered words that were absolutely true, yet they did not really believe what they were saying. Is that me? I say the right things, I say I believe the right things, but do I really demonstrate or bear witness to those things in my life?  And maybe Jesus' answer about the tribute to Caesar is what I need to hear--render unto God the things that are Gods's---Jesus bought me for an unspeakable price--I say I am His. What does the evidence show?

Blessings

Larry